Al Shamal and Muaither played out a goalless draw in the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 15 opener at the Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday.

With the result, Al Shamal moved to 12 points, while Muaither now have 10.

The teams went toe-to-toe from the blast of the whistle and the match was evenly balanced for most part of first half.

Al Shamal were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute after Muaither's goalkeeper, Ivanildo Rodrigues was adjudged to have fouled Ricardo Gomes inside the 18-yard box, but the decision was subsequently overturned after a lengthy VAR check.

Five minutes later, Muaither had an opportunity to take the lead from a set piece, but Denis Alibec’s effort was too feeble to pose any threat to Al Shamal goalkeeper Abdullah El Rady.

With goal-scoring opportunities dwindling as the match wore on, goalkeeper Rady was called upon in the 40th minute by Muataz Bostami, whose stinging 25-yard shot was brilliantly parried away by the goalkeeper.

There were fewer chances on both sides as the clock ran out on the first 45 minutes of play.

Al Shamal replaced Mohammed Al Jabri with Omar Rafik Mohamed at halftime in an attempt to add more bite to their attack and the decision proved right as the team seemed to play more purposeful and attacking football in the second half.

Muaither fluffed one of their best chances of the night in the 76th minute when Bahaa Ellethy feebly struck directly at goalkeeper El Rady in a one-on-one situation. Al Shamal captain Matias Nani had miscued a ball, which gave Ellethy an opportunity to take on El Rady, but the midfielder’s attempt posed no problem for the goalkeeper, who calmly made the save.

Al Shamal had another great chance in the 86th minute, but Gomes failed to make his hard work count after poorly finishing a series of spectacular dribbles on the edge of Muaither box with a baloon shot that went too wide off the mark.

Despite the best efforts of teams, especially in added time, the deadlock remained.